The Future Aspirations of Japanese Youth: Government Jobs on Top for High Schoolers

A new survey conducted by LINE Corporation has unveiled intriguing insights into the career aspirations of high school and middle school students in Japan. Utilizing a robust platform with over 7 million active participants, LINE Research gathered data focusing on what these students dream of becoming and their sentiments towards future employment.

Key Findings: Career Choices

According to the research, for high school students, the most desired career remains consistent with last year's findings, with government jobs at the forefront. This preference is shared by both male and female students.

In contrast, middle school boys particularly favor becoming sports athletes, while middle school girls express interest in fields like illustration, teaching, and nursing. Notably, male middle school students' interests reflect a blend of traditional and contemporary roles, with several aspiring to become YouTubers or system engineers. The rankings highlight a trend where practical and realistic job aspirations increase as students transition from middle to high school.

Among high school males, system engineering and mechanical engineering have surged in popularity, suggesting a growing interest in technical careers. Female high school students’ choices also reflect an evolving landscape, introducing roles such as administrative positions into their top preferences. Interestingly, middle schoolers exhibit a higher percentage of uncertainty regarding their career paths compared to their high school counterparts.

Motivations Behind Career Aspirations

Diving into the reasons behind their desired professions, middle school students typically cite passion—whether it's a love for sports or creativity in drawing. This sentiment often stems from personal experiences, such as being inspired by family or enjoying practical subjects in school like programming. For high school students, motivations shift to more substantive factors like job stability, the desire to contribute to society, and the commitment to help others, reflecting a maturity in their professional outlooks.

Expectation Towards Future Work

The study further explored students' anticipation regarding their future careers. When asked to evaluate whether they find the prospects of working enjoyable, over 70% of middle schoolers expressed excitement about their future jobs, in contrast to just over 60% of high school students. This trend indicates a pervasive optimism among youth about future employment.

Moreover, the research illustrates that students who perceive their family members as enjoying their work are significantly more likely to cite their future careers as exciting. Nearly 60% of students who believe their family finds joy in their jobs responded with enthusiasm about their career prospects, underscoring the influential role that family dynamics play in shaping professional attitudes.

Summary of Research Methodology

This survey was conducted via a smartphone-based web platform targeting male and female students across Japan between November 20 and 21, 2025._A total of 1,034 responses were collected, ensuring a diverse representation of current student sentiments._ The findings are not only reflective of individual preferences but also underscore broader trends within the evolving job market for upcoming generations.

As present-day youth continue to navigate career paths shaped by their ambitions and cultural influences, LINE Research remains at the forefront, analyzing educational dynamics and career aspirations across Japan. For additional details, viewers can access more reports through their research media, Research Note, linked here: Research Note.

This comprehensive look into the career aspirations of Japan's students offers critical insights for educators, policymakers, and families alike, highlighting a blend of ambition that future generations carry into their professional journeys.